Bringing colour back to Seganyane Primary School

Mandie Gericke & Zelda de Keijzer • August 30, 2024

For Eco Children’s Eco Villages to remain as beautiful as they are, constant maintenance and, in some cases, renovations are required. This was the case with Seganyane Primary School, where extensive renovations were needed. 

Words Mandie Gericke & Zelda de Keijzer | Photos Mandie Gericke

Eco Children's Eco Village

Renovations at Seganyane began in earnest in January 2024, with the demolition of old keyhole vegetable gardens. With the building of vibrant keyhole gardens, an innovative outdoor classroom, and two modern Greenhouses, the school is now poised to provide a more engaging and sustainable learning environment. These improvements will enrich the curriculum and foster a deeper connection with nature, encouraging students to explore and learn beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. 


As the days passed, the Eco Village Garden at Seganyane Primary School blossomed into a living testament of what can be achieved through dedication, partnership, and a shared vision for a brighter future. The students are already reaping the benefits of the new learning spaces and the hands-on agricultural learning opportunities provided by the Greenhouses. Their excitement and active participation are a clear testament to the positive impact of this project on their learning experience. 


As the renovation process came to an end, it was clear that the seeds of change had taken root, ready to flourish and grow for generations to come. Looking ahead, we are committed and excited to continue our efforts to support Seganyane Primary School and our other schools in the region. Together, we will ensure that every child has access to a quality education and a nurturing learning environment. 


This project has become a reality thanks to the unwavering support from the surrounding community and our sponsors. Your spirit of collaboration and community support has been the driving force behind this project, as volunteers and our staff came together to assist in planting seedlings, painting murals, and constructing. We are truly grateful for your continued support. 



Thank you to The Legacy Experience Foundation for their ongoing commitment to supporting the maintenance and improvement of the schools we partner with. Your generous contributions have been instrumental in making this project a success, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support. 

 


Classroom construction
Outdoor Classroom
Picking Onions
Eco Children Keyhole Gardens
Eco Village Sign

Share This Article

Our April Employee of the Month

By Mandie Gericke • April 29, 2025
Employee of the Month: Lydia from Hloaia Primary School

A Milestone Moment

By Mandie Gericke • April 20, 2025
On April 15th, we reached a proud and powerful milestone in the journey of Eco Children — the official opening of our very first Grade R Centre at Makwetse Primary School! This momentous occasion was filled with joy, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose, as we celebrated a step forward for early childhood education in our community. Building the Future, One Child at a Time The importance of Grade R — or the Reception Year — cannot be overstated. It’s during these early years that the foundations for lifelong learning are laid. Grade R is where children begin to explore their world, build social and emotional skills, and develop the confidence to take on the future. This centre is more than a classroom — it’s a carefully crafted environment made for children, where learning happens through play, imagination, and exploration. Every element was thoughtfully designed to foster curiosity, joy, and growth. From age-appropriate educational tools to beautifully curated play spaces, this Grade R Centre is a place where our youngest learners can truly thrive. Thank You to Our Generous Supporters This dream would not have become a reality without the generosity and commitment of our partners. We extend our heartfelt thanks to: • The Jell Foundation • Kapama Private Game Reserve Your support has been instrumental in making this vision come to life, and your presence at the launch event made the day even more meaningful. We were also honored to have our chairman, Deon Huysamer , join us in celebrating this momentous occasion, alongside key community leaders and stakeholders, including: • Chief R.N. Chiloane • Induna Manzini • Circuit Manager, M.L. Makofane • Ward Councillor, R. Mashile Your attendance reflects the shared commitment to uplifting our children and building stronger communities through education.

Our Eco Gardens grow more than just vegetables

By Mandie Gericke • April 11, 2025
At Eco Children, we’ve always believed that education and environment go hand in hand. That belief comes to life in our school gardens — vibrant, living classrooms where children are not just learning to plant food, but growing confidence, knowledge, and a deep connection to the land. 🌱 Sowing the Seeds of Sustainability Each garden starts with a patch of soil and a whole lot of hope. Through our garden program, we partner with schools to establish productive vegetable gardens that are cared for by the learners themselves, alongside their teachers and community members. The goal? To promote food security, environmental education, and hands-on learning — all while supporting the nutritional needs of learners. From composting and water-wise gardening to understanding the life cycle of a plant, children don’t just read about these things — they live them. 🍅 More Than Meals: A Lesson in Life Yes, these gardens help supplement school feeding schemes with fresh, healthy produce like cabbage, carrots, and beets. But the true impact goes far beyond the plate. Learners gain: • Skills in agriculture and teamwork • Pride in nurturing something from seed to harvest • Respect for the environment and sustainable living • Knowledge, they take home, sharing what they learn with their families 👨🏾‍🌾 A Whole Community Grows The ripple effects are incredible. Parents become involved. Community members volunteer. And soon, the garden becomes a space where everyone learns and contributes. In some schools, surplus produce from the gardens is sold to support school needs or reinvested into expanding the project — a small but mighty example of community-led development. 🌍 Growing Hope, One Seed at a Time In a region where challenges like poverty, food insecurity, and climate change are very real, these gardens are a quiet revolution. They teach our children that change doesn’t always come from far away — sometimes, it starts with your hands in the dirt and a seed of an idea. So yes — we’re growing vegetables. But more importantly, we’re growing leaders, caretakers, and changemakers for tomorrow.
More Posts